Adapting internet properties to other media is never easy, but some ideas are especially well-suited for adaptations. Kane Parson’s YouTube reimagining of the Backrooms Creepypasta is certainly one of these ideas, as it was only a matter of time before Hollywood would come knocking after Kane’s Found Footage scare-fest went viral back in 2021.
However, with A24’s The Backrooms set to be released in theaters later this month after years of development (with Kane having even been secretly mentored by Longlegs director Osgood Perkins during production), plenty of fans have been left wondering if the movie is meant to be a continuation of the original YouTube series or a complete remake of the same story.
Newcomers have also been asking online if they need to catch up with the ARG in order to fully enjoy the movie, especially since it looks like it may very well be the horror event of the Summer.
Thankfully, we’ve got answers for you!
During a Discord chat with fans from a couple of months ago, Kane sneakily revealed that the upcoming film is 100% in-canon with the YouTube series and even appears to take place during the same time frame in the 1990s. It’s also not exactly a sequel to the ARG, as the project was developed as a standalone story that could entertain audiences that weren’t yet familiar with the concept of The Backrooms.
In short: no, you don’t need to watch the YouTube series in order to understand the movie, though it certainly takes place within the same universe as those original “tapes”.
That being said, I’d still recommend checking out Kane’s channel as it’ll likely help viewers to recognize eerie little clues and Easter Eggs in the upcoming film.
It’s also a completely free source of Found Footage frights, so what’s not to love?
The Backrooms will be available in theaters starting May 29.